Gutter cleaning shutter

ABSTRACT

A gutter cleaning shutter, made from a durable material, is disclosed. It consists of a rigid frame ( 1 ) with an internal sliding plate ( 2 ) The shutters are fitted to the ends of roof gutters ( 3 ) instead of gutter stop ends. The gutter cleaning shutter with sliding plate in place provides normal gutter operation. Opening the sliding plate provides an unobstructed outlet to enable gutters to be cleaned by propelling accumulated rubbish along the gutter and out through the open shutter frame. A strong jet of water from a garden hose would be the recommended method of propelling the rubbish during cleaning. Sealing plates ( 5 ) are placed over the tops of downpipes to prevent rubbish falling into the drainage system. When cleaning is completed the sealing plates ( 5 ) are removed, and the sliding plate ( 2 ) in the cleaning shutter frame ( 1 ) closed restoring the normal operation of the roof drainage system.

A gutter cleaning shutter will provide a quick and relatively easymethod of cleaning roof gutters of dirt and rubbish which accumulates inthe bottom of roof gutters

In most instances, cleaning roof gutters is a difficult and oneroustask. There is usually insufficient space between the outer edge of thegutter and the edge of the overhanging roofing material to allow easyaccess for cleaning

In spite of best intentions, such as fitting rubbish barriers togutters, dirt and rubbish still manage to accumulate in the bottom ofthe gutters. This accumulation can cause serious problems such as gutteroverflow and damage to eaves, as well as gutter corrosion and blockagesin the roof drainage system

To understand this invention, reference will now be made to theaccompanying drawings and their use.

The invention is a frame made from a durable material (1) fitted with aninternal sliding plate (2). The frame is fitted to the ends of gutters(3) in place of the normally fitted gutter stopends

The guttering (3) fits inside the frame (1) and is attached by poprivets, gutter sealant or other suitable fixing methods. (4)

The sliding plate (2) when fully inserted closes off the end of thegutter to provide normal gutter operation. When gutter cleaning isrequired, the sliding plate (2) is removed and down pipe sealing plates(5) placed over the tops of the down pipes inside the gutter. Thisprevents the rubbish being removed from entering the rest of thestormwater system

It would then only be necessary to direct a strong jet of water from agarden hose along the gutter, propelling the accumulated rubbish towardsand out of the open end of the gutter through the open shutter frame.(1). A net could be used at the shutter end to catch the rubbish

When cleaning is complete, the down pipe sealing plates (5) are removedand the sliding plate (2) replaced in the shutter frame (1) to restoregutter integrity. Some slight water leakage will occur around thesliding plate during periods of heavy rain but the amount of leakagewould be minimal and of little consequence.

The invention is not restricted to the gutter profile shown in thedrawings but could be manufactured to fit all gutter profiles. The fixedframe could be manufactured to allow left or right horizontal opening(1) as well as a frame allowing vertical operation.

1. A shutter for an end of a rain gutter of the type having spaced frontand rear sidewalls connected together by a base member and suitable formounting along and under the overhang of a roof of a building andco-operating with at least one downpipe attached to said gutter, saidshutter including: a frame adapted to be connected to said end of saidgutter, said frame defining an aperture; and a plate adapted to slidewithin said frame from a closed position which substantially preventsexit of debris collected in said gutter through said aperture to an openposition allowing exit of said debris through said aperture; whereinsaid frame is adapted not to impede flow of said debris along said basemember as said debris is discharged through said aperture.
 2. A shutteras defined in claim 1 wherein said plate is removable from said frame.3. A kit for use in the removal of debris from a rain gutter of the typehaving spaced front and rear sidewalls connected together by a basemember and suitable for mounting along and under the overhang of a roofof a building and co-operating with at least one downpipe attached tosaid gutter, said kit including: a shutter as defined in claim 1; and atleast one blanking plate adapted to be removably retained in saiddownpipe to substantially prevent water and said debris from exitingthrough said downpipe.
 4. A method to remove debris from a rain gutterof the type having spaced front and rear sidewalls connected together bya base member and suitable for mounting along and under the overhang ofa roof of a building and co-operating with at least one downpipeattached to said gutter, said method including: fixing a shutter asdefined in claim 1 to an end of said rain gutter; moving said plate tosaid open position; if required, before, simultaneously with or aftersaid moving of said plate, affixing a blanking plate to said downpipe tosubstantially prevent water and said debris from exiting through saiddownpipe; flushing said debris along said base member of said gutter andthrough said aperture; and after said flushing is completed, in anyorder, returning said plate to said closed position and removing anysaid blanking plate from said downpipe.
 5. A method as defined in claim4 which, after said plate has been moved to said open position, furtherincludes: fixing a net over said aperture to collect any said debris asit exits through said aperture; and removing said net from said aperturebefore returning said plate to said closed position.